Sunday, June 21, 2015

My sister and I were blessed to grow up in a Christian home with a mom and dad that loved us and were (and remain) engaged in our lives. And since today is Fathers Day, I thought I would share with you a few of the many lessons I've learned from my dad over the years.

Dad taught me how to drive a tractor. This would prove to come in really handy seeing as how I've never worked anywhere but on our family's farm. By the way, he taught me how to milk cows, too.

Dad taught me how to play sports. Or perhaps more importantly, he taught me how to make time for my kids even at the end of a long work day.

Dad taught me how to always look enthusiastic on family vacations, as this photo so clearly shows. While he really enjoyed our snow skiing trips back in the day, he had little use for the beach or the Smokey Mountains (as pictured).

Dad taught me how to be a sharp-dressed man. Actually, I'm pretty sure that mom picked out both of our outfits on this particular day. (note: I've long since relieved Dad of that sports coat and now claim it as my own).

Dad taught me the value of good conversation.

Dad taught me how to be a good husband. I don't think Mom has had too many complaints over the years, and up to this point I don't think my wife has either.

Dad taught me all of these things and so much more, all which added up to teach me how to be a good dad myself. And now he's teaching me something for future reference: how to be a good granddad!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Last week we were joined in the milking barn for a couple of hours by Jon Reed, a reporter for The Birmingham News and AL.com, who was working on a story about the gradual disappearance of Alabama dairy farms over the past few years. His article, "Where have Alabama's dairy farms gone" (link), does a good job of exploring the reasons behind the decline, the current challenges to our industry, and what family farms like ours must do to remain viable. Mr. Reed also wrote a short follow-up piece about my social media usage (link).

I hope you will all take a few minutes to read the article, and share it with your friends if you feel so inclined.

Meet The Dairyman:

I'm a dairy farmer, family man, & Mississippi State alumnus from Lamar County, Alabama. I'm a former national Young Farmers & Ranchers Chairman, USFRA Face of Farming & Ranching, and currently serve as President of the Lamar County Farmers Federation and Chairman of the Alabama Dairy Producers Committee.